Alcohol and Other Drugs

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Alcohol and Other Drugs

All Minnesotans are affected by alcohol-related problems.

Many people are affected directly as a result of their own use or that of a family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor, etc. However, everyone is affected indirectly by the costs (e.g., higher health care costs, taxes, and insurance rates, as well as lost productivity) of alcohol use.

Health effects

Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs contribute to chronic disease, intentional and unintentional injuries, decreased productivity, social and family disruption, and lack of educational attainment. Alcohol use increases mortality and morbidity, as well as intended and unintended injury, unplanned pregnancy, poor birth outcomes, childhood development, adolescent health, mental health, violence, infectious diseases and chronic disease. Alcohol causes more deaths and illnesses than other drugs because of its properties and also because it is used by far more people than other drugs.

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What's New

Medical Cannabis Recognizing the potential value of medical cannabis for treating some serious conditions, the Dayton Administration, lawmakers and advocates worked together to develop a compromise that allows suffering Minnesotans to use medical cannabis in a safe manner.